Nursing bottle holder



Jan. 1?, 1967 PAGLE 3,298,649

NURSING BOTTLE HOLDER Filed Nov. 30, 1964 United States Patent 9 3,298,649 NURSING BOTTLE HOLDER Mario Robert Paglee, 420 Edgemoor Drive,

Moorestown, NJ. 08057 Filed Nov. 30, 1964, Ser. No. 414,620 8 Claims. (Cl. 248103) This invention relates to a support for a liquid dispensing container, and more particularly to a nursing bottle holder adapted tosupport a nursing bottle in feeding position for an infant.

Various forms of nursing bottle supports havebeenproposed heretofore for holding nursing bottles in feeding position when an infant is to be fedwhereby the infants mother or other attendant can be freed. for-other duties. Some of these supports have been designed for mounting on cribs, bassinets, coaches, high chairs, and the like. Such supports are, generally speaking, notorily 3,298,649 Patented Jan. 17, 1967 'ice expensive in cost, easy to. manufacture, easy to mount on and demount from the infant supporting stand or the like, easy to wipe clean when necessary, and which is highly efficient in use.

In accordance with one form of the invention, the holder may be made of a length of fairly stiff wire which is reverselybent approximately midway between its ends in hairpin-fashionto provide a pair of spaced, somewhat diverging arms. These arms are then given a pair of subexpensive but also complicated'in structure and require various adjustments to adapt them to the convenience of the infant. Other supports which have been proposed heretofore are designed to rest alongside the infant, while still others are designed to rest von thebabys chest; Such supports have proven unsatisfactory because, more often than not, when the infant has consumed most of the contents of the bottle and then turns it head or shifts its position, the bottle and its support willfallvover or slip to one side, and the infant is then unable to'make contact with the nipple. Also, when the bottle falls over, the nipple invariably picks up foreign. matter which renders it unsanitary. Moreover, in the case of supports or bottle props which rest on the babys chest, there is applied to the infant needless weight and pressure which tends to bring discomfort to the baby. 7 v

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved nursing bottle holder which is entirely free from the aforementioned anclother known disadvantages of prior art nursing bottle holders.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved nursing bottle holder which is simple in construction, which can readily be placed in a position to suit the infants comfort and convenience, and which will not itself slip away from, or permit the bottle to slip away from, such position whereby the baby can always reach the nipple conveniently and safely, and whereby the likelihood of contamination of the nipple is avoided.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved nursing bottle holder which will hold the bottle at an optimum angle for feeding without permitting'an air pocket to develop in the nipple so long, asany appreciable liquid remains in the bottle, and which will maintain the bottle in correct position regardless of the babys motion. Thus, complete withdrawal by the baby of the contents of the bottle is assured, and particularly the final portion thereof when the baby becomes satisfied and is apt to fidget or lose interest in completion of feeding.

Still another and important object ofthis invention is to provide an improved nursing bottle holder which, although by no means limited thereto, is especially adapted for use with the type of infant supporting stand shown in the Ouelette Patent 2,324,421, or the LaughlinPatent 3,101,972, and offered to the market by the Infanseat Company of Eldora, Iowa, under the name"Infanseat.

A further object of this invention isto provide an improved nursing bottle holder which can be mounted on an infant supporting stand of the type mentioned or the like in a position above the child such as to provide conditions of ideal mechanical stability.

stantially right angle bends at spaced points therealong to provide a substantially horizontal, elongated, upper portion and generally parallel, substantially vertical, front and hind portions. At this point, the front-portion thus formed includes the initial or hairpin bend, and the hind portion includes the terminal ends of the hairpin arms.

The front portion of each arm is then given a second,

substantially right angle bend to provide a lower, bottle holding portion which extends rearwardly toward the I hind portion of the holder in generally parallel relation to the upper portion. The hind portion of the holder is then suitably bent at each arm to terminate in oppositely extending, lateral pins. Thesepins can be snapped into aligned sockets such as those normally found along the rear surface of Infanseat backs. The bottle holder can thus be mounted easily on the Infanseat back in a position such that the aforementioned upper portion of the holder will extend over the upper edge of the Infanseat back and forwardly thereof to thereby dispose the front portion of the holder well in front of, and the bottle holding portion more immediately in front of, a baby resting on the Infanseat." A nursing bottle can then be mounted on the bottle holding portion by any suitable means, such as a strap, elastic bands, etc., with the nipple facing the baby and within easy reach of the baby. As the Infanseat is inclined rearwardly, the holder upper and bottle holding portions and the holder front and hind portions become correspondingly inclined respectively from the horizontal and vertical positions. Thus, the'bottle mounted on the bottle holding portion assumes a downwardly. inclined position toward the baby, and the milk or-other' liquid content of the bottle flows down into, and constantly fills, the neck of the bottle and the nipple thereon until the liquid content has been entirely consumed. This insures avoidance of air pockets in the nipple which would normally result in intake of air into the babys stomach to the babys discomfort.

The invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, as well as additional objects and advantages-thereof, will be more readily understood from the following description, when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which FIG. 1' is a front perspective view of one form of bottle holder according to the present invention, the holder being shown mounted on an infant supporting stand of the Infanseat type by way of illustration,

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view thereof to more clearly show the manner in which the bottle holder may be mounted on the back of the stand.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2 and viewed in the direction of the appended arrows, and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view showing .another form of mounting means formounting the holder on an infant supporting device. I

,Referring more particularly tothe drawing, there is shown, in FIGS. 1-3, an infant supporting stand or carrier 1 which may be of the type disclosed in the above identified patents and which has a back 3 against which a baby 5 can rest. The rear surface of the back 3 has a pair of parallel, laterally spaced, vertically extending ribs 7 thereon formed with a plurality of transversely aligned sockets 9 at various heights or levels. The carrier 1 is maintained in upright position by a frame-like support comprising a U-shaped base frame 11 of resilient, heavy gauge Wire the free ends of which are bent inwardly to provide pivot pins 13 adapted to be received in the lowermost sockets 9, and an upright, similar frame 15 having its free ends also bent inwardly to provide pivot pins 17 which can be received in any one of another pair of aligned sockets 9. By selecting the sockets 9 into which the pivot pins 17 are inserted, the carrier 1 can be inclined at various angles as fully set forth in the above identified Laughlin Patent 3,101,972. Since the structure thus far described forms no part of the present invention, no further description thereof is believed to be necessary.

One form of nursing bottle holder 21 according to the present invention for use on an infant carrier of the type described comprises a length of fairly stiff", self-supporting wire which is first reversely bent on itself in hairpin fashion at a point midway of its length. This provides an initial bend 23 from which extend a pair of slightly diverging (or, if preferred, parallel) arms 25a and 25b in laterally spaced relation to each other in a common plane. of the arms 25a, 25b is then given a substantially right angle bend 27 in the same direction out of their common plane at spaced points therealong to provide an elongated, substantially horizontal, upper portion 29, and parallel, substantially vertical front and hind portions 31 and 33, respectively, which depend from the upper portion 29. The front portions 31are joined by and terminate'inthe initial bend 23 at this point. The hind portions 33 'of the arms, whcih terminate in the ends of the wire, are then formed with reverse bends 35 to provide abutting portions 36, and finally with right angle bends 37 in opposite directions to provide, in proximity to' their free ends, oppositely outwardly extending, aligned terminal pins 39 for reception in any pair of aligned sockets 9, preferably a pair near the upperedge of the back 3. The pins 39 can readily snap into the selected sockets 9 by reason of the resilience of the wire from which the holder 21 is formed. i r

The front portions 31 of the holder arms are both given a substantially right angle bend 41 in a rearward direction at a point intermediate the bend 23 and the bends 27 to provide a bottle supporting part 43 of a length equal approximately to the length of a nursing bottle 45. The bottle supporting part 43'is spaced from and substantially parallel-to the upper portion 29 of the bottle holder, and it extends back from the front portion 31 toward the hind portion 33 a distance such that'the initial bend 23 is still well spaced from the hind portion 33 and is disposed in proximity to the mouth of the baby 5. Preferably, but not necessarily, both wire lengths of the bottle supporting part 43 are given a downwardly directed bend 47 in proximity to the initial bend 23 whereby to provide a downwardly extending yoke or cradle 49 adjacent the initial bend into which the neck of the bottle 45 can be inserted for partial support of the bottle with the nipple thereon facing the baby, as shown in FIG. 1. The bottle can then be removably locked in place against the lower side of the supporting part 43 by any suitable means, such as a pair of spaced, elastic bands 51, a strap with a buckle (not shown), or the like.

To set the bottle holder up for use after the baby has been placed on the carrier or stand 1, the terminal pins 39 are snapped into the selected sockets 9 (the uppermost ones, as shown in FIG. 2 by way-of illustration) with the hind portion 33 lying against the rear surface of the back 3 and the upper portion 29 extending for- Each ..wardly from the hind portion over, and preferably resting on, the upper edge of the back 3. This arrangement provides stability to the holder on the carrier. When the holder is thus mounted, the bottle supporting part 43 is then at approximately the level of the babys mouth. The neck of the nursing bottle 45 is then slipped into the cradle 49 with the nipple extending toward the baby, and the elastic bands 51 are applied around the supporting part 43 and the botle 45 to hold the bottle snugly in place. i

As will be apparent, there is no weight resting on or against the baby; and the baby is entirely free to move its head from nursing position at will and to resume nursing without impediment, at the same time being free to move its limbs in the manner characteristic of babies. Moreover, there is'no dange'r of the bottle slipping out of place and the nipple becoming contaminated by contact with unclean foreign matter. It will also be apparent that, because of the rearward inclination of the carrier 1, the bottle 45 will be inclined downwardly toward the babys mouth at all times. Hence, the neck of the bottle and the nipple will always be filled with liquid and there will be no likelihood of air intake into the babys stomach through thenipple, at least until the full content of the bottle has been consumed.

In FIG. 4, there is shown another form of mounting means for the bottle holder, this form being suitable for use not only with a baby carrier of the type described, but for other carriers as well, such as cribs, high chairs, or the like. Here, for example, the back 53 may be the back of a high chair, the headboard of a crib, the tiltable backrest" of a babycoach, etc. Mounted on the upper edge 7 of the back 53 in suitably spaced relation are a pair of spring clips '55 of inverted U-form, or the clips may be of 'rigidstock' and provided with wing head bolts or the like for clamping them to the back 53. The rear leg 57 of each clip or clamp may have struck out therefrom a socket 59 through which the hind portion 33 of the respective arms can extend for mounting the bottle holder in place on the back 53. If desired, the sockets 59 may be provided with set screws 60 therethrough to permit adjusting the holder vertically and locking it in a position to suit the convenience and comfort of the baby.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that there has been provided an improved nursing bottle holder of simple construction and suitable for use with a variety of baby carriers or supporting devices. Such a holder can be installed in place easily and quickly, and it can be adjusted easily to a variety of desired positions for the babys greatest comfort. Because of this, the baby will tend to drain the bottle completely without forcing, thereby producing greater satisfaction and having a favorable psychological effect.

Although only one form of bottle holder and two forms of mountings therefor have been disclosed, it will undoubtedly be apparent to those skilled in the art that other mountings as well as other forms of holders, all coming Within the spirit of the present invention, are possible. For example, instead of making the holder out of wire, it can be molded in one piece out of suitable plastic material with Wire members. corresponding to the rear portions 33 molded into the rear portion of the holder and the abutting portions 36 and terminal pivot pins 39 extending therefrom. By making the hind portions longer and spacing the terminals pins 39 a greater distance below the upper portion 29 than is shown in FIG. 2, the pins 39 can be inserted into sockets 9 below the uppermost ones, whereby the holder can be made vertically adjustable on the carrier 1 to different heights. Also, by omitting the reversely bent, abutting portions 36 and extending the pins 39 directly outwardly the entire holder can be swung upwardly and rearwardly on the pins 39 to facilitate mounting the bottle and removing it from the supporting part 43. Where the holder is made of plastic material, the material may be made opaque to shield the baby from the sun When the carrier is used outdoors. Also, if desired, one or more reinforcing stays, such as stays 61, may be connected across the arms 25a and 25b, and an opaque canopy placed across the arms 25a and 25b along their entire length to act as a sun shield. Other variations and modifications will, no doubt, readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. It is desired, therefore, that the foregoing shall be taken merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A holder for a nursing bottle comprising a pair of elongated, laterally spaced members each having an upper portion and front and hind portions depending from said upper portion, said hind portions each having means for mounting said holder on a support, and said front portions having bottle supporting parts extending rearwardly therefrom toward, but short of, said hind portions.

2. A holder for a nursing bottle comprising a length of wire having a substantially reverse bend therein to provide a pair of spaced arms disposed in common plane, said arms having first and second substantially right angle bends at spaced points therealong to provide (1) relatively elongated upper portions in said common plane, and (2) front and hind portions depending from said upper portions, said hind portions of said arms each having further bends therein to provide laterally extending members for mounting said holder on a support, and said front portions of said arms each having a further bend therein toward said hind portions to provide a bottle supporting part.

3. A holder for a nursing bottle comprising a length of Wire having an initial, substantially reverse bend therein to provide a pair of spaced arms disposed in a common plane, said arms having first and second substantially right angle bend at spaced points therealong to provide (1) relatively elongated upper portion in said common plane, and (2) substantially parallel front and hind portions depending from said upper portions, said front portions being joined by and terminating in said initial bend, and said hind portions terminating in the ends of said wire, said hind portions of said arms having further bends therein in proximity to said ends to provide laterally extending elements for mounting said holder on a support, and said front portions of said arms each having at points spaced from said initial bend a further substantially right angle bend therein toward said hind portions to provide a bottle supporting part in substantially parallel, spaced relation to said upper portions.

4. A nursing bottle holder according to claim 3 wherein said initial bend is at the terminus of said bottle supporting part and wherein said further bends in said front portions of said arms are at points such that said initial bend terminates in spaced relation to said hind portions.

5. A nursing bottle according to claim 4 wherein said front portions of said arms have, at said bottle supporting part and in proximity to said initial bend, an additional bend to provide a cradle for receiving said bottle.

6. A nursing bottle holder according to claim 3 wherein said laterally extending elements of said hind portions of said arms comprise transversely aligned pins adapted to be received in corresponding sockets on said support.

7. The combination with an infant upporting device having a back against which an infant can rest and which is provided with mounting means on the rear surface thereof of a nursing bottle holder comprising an elongated upper member, front and hind portions depending from said member, said hind portion lying against said rear surface and including means for mounting said holder on said mounting means, said upper member extending from said hind portion over the upper edge of'said back and forwardly thereof a substantial distance whereby said front portion is disposed well forwardly of said back, and means extending rearwardly from said front portion toward said back for providing a bottle supporting part, said bottle supporting part terminating in spaced relation to said back.

8. The combination with an infant supporting device having a back against which an infant can rest and which is provided with mounting sockets on the rear surface thereof of a nursing bottle holder comprising a length of relatively stiff Wire having a substantially reverse bend therein to provide a pair of spaced arms disposed in a common plane, said arms having first and second substantially right angle bends at spaced points therealong to provide (1) relatively elongated upper portions in a common plans, and (2) front and hind portions depending from said upper portions, said hind portions lying against said rear surface of said back and including laterally extending pins received in said sockets for mounting said holder on said back, said upper portions of said holder extending from said rear portions over the upper edge of said back and forwardly thereof a substantial distance whereby said front portions are disposed Well forwardly of said back, and said front portions of said arms each having a further bend therein rearwardly toward said back to provide a bottle supporting part, said bottle supporting part terminating in spaced relation to said back.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,734,522 11/1929 Kauifman 248-103 2,686,030 8/1954 Johnson 248-103 2,830,781 4/1958 Coulter 248-103 3,251,626 5/1966 Martin 297-188 FOREIGN PATENTS 936,286 2/1948 France.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

K. J. WINGERT, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A HOLDER FOR A NURSING BOTTLE COMPRISING A PAIR OF ELONGATED, LATERALLY SPACED MEMBERS EACH HAVING AN UPPER PORTION AND FRONT AND HIND PORTIONS DEPENDING FROM SAID UPPER PORTION, SAID HIND PORTIONS EACH HAVING MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID HOLDER ON A SUPPORT, AND SAID FRONT PORTIONS HAVING BOTTLE SUPPORTING PARTS EXTENDING REARWARDLY THEREFROM TOWARD, BUT SHORT OF, SAID HIND PORTIONS. 